Evaluating the efficacy of common humanity-enhanced exposure for socially anxious young adults

Abstract

Despite some evidence of the benefits of self-compassion training among socially anxious individuals, little is known about whether enhancing self-compassion prior to exposure therapy increases initial exposure engagement. Additionally, manipulations have relied on broad definitions of self-compassion, rendering it difficult to distinguish the impact of individual components. This study employed three experiential exercises designed to enhance one facet of self-compassion—common humanity. Socially anxious undergraduates (N = 63) were randomized in groups to 1) common humanity-enhanced exposure (n = 32) or 2) exposure alone (n = 31). In the common humanity condition, participants wrote self-compassionately, shared fears, and completed a common humanity-focused lovingkindness meditation. All participants then completed a speech exposure in front of live judges followed by an optional second exposure. Within the common humanity condition, positive self-responding to the speech exposure increased (b = 0.30, p = .026). Common humanity participants also remained in the first exposure longer, relative to exposure alone (b = −30.92, p = .002). Participants rated exercises as at least moderately helpful, with sharing fears rated most helpful. In sum, a brief group-based multi-modal common humanity induction represents a promising approach to improving initial engagement with feared contexts among socially anxious individuals.